Special thanks to my dear friend Rain Scott whose excellent blog We Belong Outside is an inspiration to me. Talking with Rain has also been invaluable in shaping this project.
I also want thank Ursula Pflug. Conversations with her about the creative writing process, and about death and loss, help me tremendously.
Many other friends’ support, encouragement and thoughtful reflections have influenced my own thinking. We are so much the sum of those who love us, of those who consider us precious.